as in to oppress
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Recent Examples of tyrannize
There would be plenty to celebrate if Iranians successfully replaced the Islamist regime that has tyrannized them for 45 years.
—
Jason D. Greenblatt, semafor.com, 18 June 2025
The driving force behind these antics is a tyrannizing uncertainty.
—Andrew Kay, Harpers Magazine, 28 May 2025
As a simple but stable system of cryptographic property rights, Bitcoin is a digital, modern-day solution to the problems the U.S. Constitution sought to solve: protecting us from humans who seek to tyrannize us.
—Edan Yago, Forbes, 6 Nov. 2024
The mechanics of Shakespeare’s plot — unfolding first in rigid, tyrannized Sicilia and then in pastoral, sunnier Bohemia — hinge on our rooting for the characters Leontes so cruelly censures.
—Peter Marks, Washington Post, 22 Nov. 2023
Saddam Hussein tyrannized Iraq for 12 years after his troops were routed in Kuwait in 1991.
—Daniel Treisman, Foreign Affairs, 2 Nov. 2022
In the process, these majority ethnic coalitions tyrannize and marginalize other groups, particularly those that are not members of the coalition.
—John Mukum Mbaku, Washington Examiner, 18 Mar. 2021
In Portsmouth, Virginia, cops have been systematically using their state power to tyrannize political enemies.
—Alex Pareene, The New Republic, 28 Aug. 2020
In such societies, counters Madison, a majority will tyrannize the minority.
—Corey Robin, The New York Review of Books, 13 Apr. 2020
Jason D. Greenblatt, semafor.com, 18 June 2025
The driving force behind these antics is a tyrannizing uncertainty.
—Andrew Kay, Harpers Magazine, 28 May 2025
As a simple but stable system of cryptographic property rights, Bitcoin is a digital, modern-day solution to the problems the U.S. Constitution sought to solve: protecting us from humans who seek to tyrannize us.
—Edan Yago, Forbes, 6 Nov. 2024
The mechanics of Shakespeare’s plot — unfolding first in rigid, tyrannized Sicilia and then in pastoral, sunnier Bohemia — hinge on our rooting for the characters Leontes so cruelly censures.
—Peter Marks, Washington Post, 22 Nov. 2023
Saddam Hussein tyrannized Iraq for 12 years after his troops were routed in Kuwait in 1991.
—Daniel Treisman, Foreign Affairs, 2 Nov. 2022
In the process, these majority ethnic coalitions tyrannize and marginalize other groups, particularly those that are not members of the coalition.
—John Mukum Mbaku, Washington Examiner, 18 Mar. 2021
In Portsmouth, Virginia, cops have been systematically using their state power to tyrannize political enemies.
—Alex Pareene, The New Republic, 28 Aug. 2020
In such societies, counters Madison, a majority will tyrannize the minority.
—Corey Robin, The New York Review of Books, 13 Apr. 2020
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tyrannize
Verb
-
The resultant impunity means people turn to alternative structures for protection, from vigilantes to the very criminals that oppress them.—
Obi Anyadike,
semafor.com,
26 Jan. 2026
-
Discussions with the creative team led to the idea of showing how oppressed the animals were.—
Jazz Tangcay,
Variety,
12 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
While some apps are experimental or low-effort, the approach mirrors the early days of iOS and Android app stores, where quirky and test apps dominated before the ecosystem matured.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
30 Jan. 2026
-
The opposition dominates for spells but struggles to bypass his strong defence.—
Zak Garner-Purkis,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The public trust doctrine dictates the state holds navigable waters in trust for the public up to the ordinary high water mark − a visual mark left by water.—
Caitlin Looby,
jsonline.com,
30 Jan. 2026
-
Our desires guide our actions, and our sentiments dictate our reactions.—
Lisa Stardust,
Refinery29,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
While independent venues shuttered during the pandemic, venue domineer Live Nation — which can much more easily close its doors for soundproofing or for an infectious outbreak — posted its best years in 2022 and 2023.—
Katie Thornton,
Rolling Stone,
20 Dec. 2024
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When her father Philip dies, Rachel’s domineering mother, Carol, played by Ormond (see first look image), driven by the belief that Philip’s lifeless body will revive itself, forces her daughter to live with the corpse.—
Nick Vivarelli,
Variety,
13 June 2023
Verb
-
But, like the media companies, both banks are regulated by his Administration, creating an incentive to settle.—
David D. Kirkpatrick,
New Yorker,
31 Jan. 2026
-
Breathable, flexible fabrics help regulate temperature and move with your body—especially when layered intentionally.—
Rosie Marder,
Travel + Leisure,
31 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Tyrannize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tyrannize. Accessed 6 Feb. 2026.
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